Tottenham are edging closer to completing a deal for Djed Spence this summer, with Nottingham Forest now lining up alternatives, with Liverpool defender Neco Williams atop their list.
The future of Spence has dominated the newly-promoted side's transfer gossip to date this summer, with a successful spell on loan at the City Ground having raised his profile and led to interest from Tottenham and other clubs.
And it is the Lilywhites that seem certain to pinch the Middlesbrough defender from the grasp of Steve Cooper's side, with reports suggesting that contacts between Spence and Tottenham had accelerated over the weekend amid a potential £20m deal.
And it appears that Forest have since poured further fuel on these claims by seeking out alternatives to the wing-back for their first season back in the top flight since 1999.
The Midlands outfit have enquired over the availability of Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles, while Neco Williams is also thought to be in their sights.
The Welsh defender spent the second half of 2021-22 on loan with Fulham, appearing 14 times as he helped them back into the top flight at the first time of asking, contributing two goals and two assists in that time.
As per the Liverpool echo, however, they will face competition for the defender, as they report that Fulham are also 'said to be keen on bringing him back to Craven Cottage'.
Any potential deal would set them back around £15m, but could be accelerated due to the imminent arrival at Anfield of Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen, who plays on the right-side of defence too.
In exploring these alternatives, it appears that Forest have given up hope of keeping Spence for another season.